United rocked by Rooney suspension

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been charged by the FA for using abusive language and now faces a two game ban.

The England forward issued a formal apology following his foul-mouthed celebration at West Ham on Saturday, which he claimed came "in the heat of the moment" after he completed a match-turning treble, and insisted "was not aimed at anyone in particular".

However, an FA statement on Monday read: "The FA has charged Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language.

"This charge relates to an incident during his side's fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday April 2, 2011.

"Rooney has until 6pm on April 5 to respond to the charge."

A one-match ban would rule Rooney out of Saturday's home game with Fulham, with a two-match suspension sidelining him for the following weekend's Manchester derby FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Sanctioning a player for swearing into a camera is understood to be unprecedented in English football.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was handed a three-match ban - with a further two matches suspended - by UEFA for a similar offence during the 2009 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona but his tirade was deemed to have been directed at the referee.

There does appear to be provision for punishment in the FA's own rules about behaviour, which state: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour."

Rooney's three goals at Upton Park helped his team to a 4-2 victory which took them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

But, after completing his treble, the striker uttered an audible expletive into a television camera as he celebrated.

The game at was beamed around the world by Sky Sports and the incident prompted an on-air apology from the broadcaster.

The 25-year-old upset England fans during last summer's World Cup when he turned to a television camera and verbally criticised them at the end of the dismal goalless draw with Algeria.

Fergie beats Mourinho to Bebe

Manchester United have signed Vitoria Guimaraes striker Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, better known as Bebe.

Personal terms have been agreed with the 20-year-old and he will move to Old Trafford for an undisclosed fee.

The Portuguese forward had also been closely linked with Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid but he will join fellow new signing Javier Hernandez as Sir Alex Ferguson bolsters the Red Devils' forward line.

Bebe made a name for himself at Vitoria after joining from Estrela da Amadora and, despite his tender years, has a strong physical presence as well as technical aptitude, vision and good passing skills.

The 20-year-old will certainly also add value to Ferguson with the Premier League's new regulations, as he does not need to be registered in the Red Devil's squad of 25 due to his U-21 classification.

United set to bid £20m for Benzema

Manchester United are set to make a massive bid for French striker Karim Benzema during the summer.

Man United chief executive David Gill has confirmed funds would be available for Sir Alex Ferguson to spend and they could splash out £20million for the Real Madrid forward.

According to the News of the World, Ferguson will swoop for the 22-year-old who is unsettled in Spain.

United were interested in the France international but Real Madrid beat them to his signature.

Benzema has since been a bit-part player at the Bernabeu and United are looking to offer him for playing time as a bait to lure him to Old Trafford.

United have already signed Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for £8m and Chris Smalling from Fulham for £10m for next season.